Centuries ago in 100 A.D., Hero, a Greek philosopher and mathematician, demonstrated jet power in a machine called an "aeolipile." A heated, water filled steel ball with nozzles spun as steam escaped.

Over the course of the past last half century, jet-powered flight has vastly
changed the way we all live. However, the basic principle of jet propulsion is
neither new nor complicated.

Centuries ago in 100 A.D., Hero, a Greek philosopher and mathematician,
demonstrated jet power in a machine called an "aeolipile." A heated, water
filled steel ball with nozzles spun as steam escaped. Why? The principle
behind this phenomenon was not fully understood until 1690 A.D. when Sir
Isaac Newton in England formulated the principle of Hero's jet propulsion
"aeolipile" in scientific terms. His Third Law of Motion stated: "Every
action produces a reaction ... equal in force and opposite in direction."

The jet engine of today operates according to this same basic principle. Jet
engines contain three common components: the compressor, the
combustor, and the turbine. To this basic engine, other
components may be added, including:

A nozzle to recover and direct the gas energy and possibly divert the
thrust for vertical takeoff and landing as well as changing direction of
aircraft flight.

An afterburneror augmentor, a long "tailpipe" behind the
turbine into which additional fuel is sprayed and burned to provide
additional thrust.

A thrust reverser, which blocks the gas rushing toward the rear of
the engine, thus forcing the gases forward to provide additional braking
of aircraft.

A fan in front of the compressor to increase thrust and reduce fuel
consumption.

An additional turbine that can be utilized to drive a
propeller or helicopter rotor.